On Sunday 8th,May,2022,the Ijebu Town called came to a stand still when the popular Shittu family buried the remains of their patriach,the Ijebu Lace Manufacturer,Alhaji (Prince) Shafi Mobolaji Shittu.He was buried inside his expansive compound in Aiyepe Ijebu, Ogun state,after his body was taken to his family house and the Aiyepe Central Mosque.
Though some of Alhaji Shittus children live in Nigeria,a lot live abroad.Despite the fact that some of them live in the US,two of them,Nikki and Moni flew in time to meet the burial rites.
They were joined by other children to give their dad a befitting burial.All the kids were in white.They all looked elegant in their white attire.The daughters of Alhaji Shafi Shittu looked sweet in their lush sequence lace gown and a white turban gele.They were on their feet throughout the event, as they made sure that everything was in order. Citypeople spotted a few of the children at the event, like Nike, ,Moni ,Toheeb,Adunola, Jadesola,Mutiu,Abolanle ,Muritala ,Lobito ,Kafilat,Seki ,Azizat,Doyin,Papi, Ganiu ,Alhaja Tairat (First Born) ,Hammed and,Kuburat,to mention but a few of them.
As early as 8am that Sunday morning Muslim clerics thronged his house to pray in turns, on his body,which was placed inside his living room, while various Alasalatu women groups came in droves singing Islamic songs.
The Muslim community in Aiyepe and Ijebu gathered in his house that day to offer prayers because he is the Baba Adinni.
After all the early morning prayers,his body was taken to his family house on ikenne Road where he was born That was about 1pm.From there he was taken to the Central Mosque for prayers.He was one of those who contributed immensely to the construction of the Mosque.
Prince Dapo Abiodun,the Governor of Ogun state came to visit the family and spent time with the widow of Alhaji Shittu and his children.After the prayers at the Mosque , his body was brought back to his compound where he was buried(Janazah),according to Islamic rites ,in the presence of his children.After the burial,the main fidau prayers followed.It was attended by traditional rulers like ,Oba Abdul Wasiu Adewale Shobowale(the Olowu Odolowu of Aiyepe) and Oba Yinusa Oladele Adekoya, (the Dagburewe of Idowa) who spoke on behalf of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (the Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom).Other obas from Ijebu were also present at the event.
Sheik Islam Muhammed Hadli Lawal, anchored the prayers . He delivered a very soul inspiring message directed at the family of Alhaji Shafi Shittu,asking them to keep the memory of their father alive by supporting the work of Islam.Other Muslim clerics were in attendance like Chief Imam Aiyepe, Alhaji Idowu Awosanya, Imam Aba,Alhaji Musibaudeen Agbolade,Chief Imam Ikenne, Alhaji Hussein Lawal,Chief Imam Ijede.They were all on the high table.Members of the Egbe Oloja ijebu Ode were also in attendance.They were all dressed in White lace(Iro and buba) and Aso Oke as gele.Those who came are Iyalaje Akile Ijebu,Akorede Alatise; Eta iyaloja,Alhaja Kikelomo Olufunmi;Iyaloja Local Government,ijebu Ode,Chief Folake Kazeem;Iyalaje- in- Council,Mrs Sade Adediya; Member Iyalaje- in -council,Mrs Iyabo Olusoga;Otun Iyaloja,Mrs Awojobi;,Mayegun Oba S.K Market, Oke Aje, Ijebu Ode, Ajibike Bello;Iyaloja Mrs Alhaja Badmus;Alhaja Akewu Sule (Ata-panko); Iyaloja Lagos Garage,Mrs Taiwo Olufodun; Yeye mofin Oba Adetona Market, Adebimpe Adetona,Balogun Ata pako, Alhaja Salami,Otun Balogun Oke Aje; Alhaja Abeshin,Otun Balogun Oke Aje,Otun Iyaloja Alhaja Kikelomo Ogunbanjo.After the prayers,
one of Alhaji Shittu’s son’s did the Vote of thanks.
All eyes are now on the 8 Days Fidau and 40 Days fidau prayers. The people of Aiyepe will surely miss Alhaji (Prince)Shafi Mobolaji Shittu who has contributed immensely to the growth,progress and development of the town.
–Reported by Lola Akinsanya in Aiyepe Ijebu.
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